Kohala Hydropower Project

The Kohala Hydropower Project is a proposed run-of-the-river, high head project of 316 meters that will be located near Kohala, in Azad Kashmir. In 2020 the project's agreement was finalised[4] later it was formally signed in a ceremony attended by the Pakistani Prime Minister, and Chinese ambassador. [5]

Kohala Hydropower Project
Official nameKohala Hydropower Project
LocationAzad Kashmir
Coordinates34°05′57″N 73°29′47″E
StatusApproved for construction[1]
Construction begann
Opening dateDecember 2025 (est.) [2]
Construction cost$2.4 Billion
Owner(s)China Three Gorges Corporation (CTG)
Dam and spillways
Type of damGravity, roller-compacted concrete
ImpoundsJhelum River
Height57 m (187 ft)
Length212 m (696 ft)
Reservoir
Total capacity49,000,000 m3 (39,725 acre⋅ft)
Active capacity8,730,000 m3 (7,078 acre⋅ft)
Surface area.78 km2 (0 sq mi)
Maximum length6.4 km (4 mi)
Kohala Hydropower Project
Coordinates34°04′13.6″N 73°30′01.9″E
TypeRun-of-the-river
Hydraulic head290 m (950 ft)
Turbines4 x 281 MW Francis-type[3]
Installed capacity1124 MW
Annual generation4800 GWh

Location

The diversion dam site is on Jhelum River near Sarran Village 40 km upstream from Muzaffarabad and a 20 km long tunnel connects to the powerhouse which is located at Barsala 7 km upstream from Kohala Bridge.[6][7]

Background

China Three Gorges Corporation (CTGC), the state-owned hydropower developer, won the right to develop a hydroelectric dam in Pakistan on January 7, 2015. The Kohala Hydropower Project will be CTGC's largest investment in Pakistan.[8]

In December 2018 the people of Muzaffarabad held protests against Kohala dam design due to its planned water diversion via tunnel which will bypass the Muzaffarabad city. [9]

Design

The dam's feasibility study and detailed engineering designs were performed by SMEC.[10] The Kohala hydroelectric scheme will have a gravity, roller-concrete compacted dam on the upper branch of the Jhelum, 40 km from Muzaffarabad. The powerhouse, on the lower branch of the Jhelum near Barasala, will house four 281-MW Pelton turbines.

Tariffs

CWE is required to construct the project on a build, own, operate and transfer basis. In 2014, local published reports said the average tariff for the first 12 years was set at 8.9 cents per unit and during the following 18 years would be 5.1 cents per unit. The average tariff for the 30-year life of the project is 7.9 cents per unit. The tariff ensures 17 per cent return on equity on internal rate of return basis.

Carbon credit

The project is expected to earn carbon credit from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change for clean energy development under the Kyoto protocol.

See also

References
  1. "PM witnesses signing ceremony of tripartite agreement for 1124 MW Kohala Hydro Power Project". www.radio.gov.pk. Retrieved Jul 12, 2020.
  2. "Kohala Hydro Project". Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  3. "1100 MW Kohala Hydropower Project— Approval of Feasibility Stage Tariff Proposal" (PDF). NATIONAL TRANSMISSION & DESPATCH COMPANY. 22 September 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  4. "Deal worth $2.4b signed for Kohala power project". The Express Tribune. Jun 1, 2020. Retrieved Jul 12, 2020.
  5. https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/551382-Govt-signs-tripartite-agreement-for-1124-MW-Kohala-Hydro-Power-Project-
  6. "GB: water conservation and preservation". Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  7. "KOHALA HYDROPOWER PROJECT". wapda.gov.pk. Archived from the original on 2014-07-03. Retrieved 2014-06-22.
  8. "Protests bring CPEC's Kashmir dam to a halt". Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  9. "The News International: Latest News Breaking, Pakistan News". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved Jul 12, 2020.
  10. "SMEC - Kohala Hydropower Project". smec.com. Archived from the original on 2014-04-05. Retrieved 2014-06-22.
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